LGBTQ+ Child Welfare Specialist

LGBTQ+ Child Welfare Specialist Who We Are Lawrence Hall is a Chicago-based nonprofit social services agency providing therapeutic, wellness, and skill-development services to youth, families, and communities affected by trauma.

Our Lakewood Affirming Care Group Home provides a safe, structured, and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth. Our team centers each young person's identity, voice, strengths, relationships, and long-term stability.

About the Role As the LGBTQ+ Child Welfare Specialist, you will provide comprehensive case management and advocacy for youth living in the Lakewood Affirming Care Group Home.

You will coordinate services related to placement, education, health care, family connections, court involvement, permanency, and transition planning. This is a great opportunity for someone committed to LGBTQ+ affirming, trauma-informed, and youth-centered child welfare practice.

What You'll Do Coordinate case planning, services, visitation, court involvement, permanency, and transition support in partnership with youth and families.

Advocate for each young person's identity, goals, relationships, and preferences while connecting them to affirming community resources.

Collaborate with DCFS, schools, courts, providers, families, and the Lakewood team while maintaining timely documentation in SACWIS and other required systems.

Who We're Looking For

Required:

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.

Current Child Welfare Employee Licensure or ability to complete required DCFS training, examinations, and CERAP requirements.

Experience working with LGBTQ+ youth or demonstrated knowledge of LGBTQ+ affirming practices.

Valid Illinois driver's license, reliable transportation or access to a vehicle, and proof of insurance.

Ability to meet all required background, mandated reporter, licensing, and employment requirements.

Preferred:

Previous child welfare case management experience.

Current CWEL, CERAP, SACWIS, or other relevant DCFS credentials.

Experience in residential care, foster care, behavioral health, or affirming services for adolescents. Qualified LGBTQ+ applicants and individuals with relevant lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional Information This is a full-time, onsite position based at the Lakewood Affirming Care Group Home in Chicago. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with flexibility required for court hearings, visits, meetings, emergencies, and occasional evenings or weekends.

Local travel is required, including work in residential, court, school, community, and family-home settings. The position may also involve transporting youth in an agency or personal vehicle and occasionally lifting up to 20 pounds.

Compensation, Benefits & Perks Compensation is determined by a base salary for each position, with additional compensation considered based on relevant education and experience.

We care about the well-being of our employees and are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package that includes:

Salary: $53,800–$59,000 per year, based on experience

Average of 17–25 days PTO plus 9 holidays

Medical insurance – HMO and PPO options

Dental insurance – HMO and PPO options

Vision insurance
401(k) with up to 5% employer match and auto-vesting

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Medical and Dependent Care Pre-tax commuter benefits – Parking and Transit
100% employer-paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance Voluntary Life Insurance for employees, spouses, and children

Accident and Critical Illness Insurance Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
100% employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free counseling and life resources

Wellness Reimbursement Program Employee Referral Bonus up to $1,500

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for licensed employees

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

How to Apply

Submit your online application here. We look forward to learning more about you!

Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification.

This position is exempt.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V CLASSIFICATION Department:
Affirming Care / Lakewood Affirming Care Group Home

Reports to:

Assigned Program Supervisor Status:
ExemptPTO / Time Off

Schedule:

Schedule C